Electric lightting device



May 17, 1938. H. A. DOUGLAS v2,117,755

ELECTRIC LIGHTING DEVICE Filed March 2, 1956 2 Shets-Sheet 1 Harry A.Douglas I NVLNTOR B M, MMM74UW ATTORNiTfi May 17, 1938. H. A. DOUGLAS2,117, 755

ELECTRIC LIGHTING DEVICE Filed March 2, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 x M, JMWM%M ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 17, 1938 UNITE STATES amass ens-mare non-mm nmcs Harry A.Douglas, Bronson,

Kingston in corp ration. a mtion Prodac of Indiana moll alllgliorto Amma 2. 1m, Serial No. as:

Claims. (01. 244-41) My invention relates to electric lighting devices,and more particularly to electric lamp units comprising an incandescentelectric lamp mounted in a reflector, as for example, in an automobileheadlight, and the principal object of my invention is to provide a newand improved lighting device and unit of this type.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, and forming part ofthis application, I have shown, for purposes of illustration, one formwhich my invention may assume. In these draw ings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view, certain parts being fragmentarilyshown, of one embodiment of my invention,

Figure 2 is a front elevation of a detail,

Figure 315 a side elevation of parts of a holding means or socket unit,forming part of the embodiment of Figure 1, before they are completelyassembled,

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the holding means or socket unit,forming part of the embodiment shown in Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the holding means shown in Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line G-6 of Figure4,

Figure 7 is a front elevation of the mountin with the holding means,shown in Figures 4 and 5, assembled therewith,

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Figure 7,

Figure 9 is a section taken along the line 99 of Figure 10, looking inthe direction of the arrows,

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the incandescent electric lamp used inthe embodiment of Figure 1, the bulb of the lamp being fragmentarllyshown, and

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the rear of the mounting.

Referring to Figure 1, the embodiment of my invention here illustratedis shown as including an incandescent electric lamp 20, adapted to besuitably connected to a mounting 2 I, the mounting being in thisinstance a reflector fragmentarily shown. The lamp 2D is provided with abase 22, which in this instance includes laterally extending positioningmeans 23. The base includes a shell 25 and the laterally extendingportion of the base comprises a collar 26 surrounding the shell 25 and aradially extending flange 21 on the collar. The collar 26 may befastened to the shell 25 in any suitable manner, as by soldering 28 (seeFigure 9). As may be seen in Figure 9,

' line.

the flange 21 is, in this instance, circular in out- The flange 21 isprovided with, desirably three, axially extending projections 23 formedby making depressions 3. in the opposite face of the flange 21. The baseis further provided, in this 5 instance, with two lateral projections inthe form of cylindrical pins 3|, 32, for a purpose which will appear.The pins 3|, 32 are circumferentially spaced less than 180, as may beseen in Figure 9, and are in a plane spaced from the plane of the 10flange 21. The collar 28 is provided with slots 33, 34, to enable thecollar to be slipped over the pins 31, 32.

The reflector 21 is here shown as being provided with a cup-shapedextension 35 including a rearwardly extending cylindrical portion 36,the inner periphery of which is shown-as slightly spaced from theradially outer periphery of the lamp flange 21, but which may gage thisouter margin, that is, snugly fit it. The cup-shaped extension 35 alsoincludes an apertured plane end or bottom 31, seen most clearly inFigure 11. The bottom 31 is provided with a central aperture 38,sufilciently large to permit easy passage of the shell of the lamp base.Extending radially 25 outwardly from .the central aperture 38 are threegenerally rectangular circumferentially spaced recesses 39, therebyleaving three generally segmental flanges 40. When the flange 21 is inthe position shown in Figure 1, the three axially extending projections29 abut respectively the front surfaces of the three segmental flanges40. By front and rear are meant parts presented toward or away from thelight producing source of the lamp 20.

In order to hold the lamp 20 assembled with the reflector 2| in theposition shown in Figure 1, a holding means or socket unit 4| isprovided. This holding means 41 comprises a shell 42, desirably ofgenerally cylindrical form, which may be seamless, and desirably formedof sheet metal. The holding means also includes a biasing means 43,fixed to the shell 42, the biasing means in this instance comprising aring 44 of sheet metal,

provided with circumferentially spaced portions, 45 here three innumber, extending in a generally radial direction outwardly from thering 44, and looped or bent radially inwardly so as to form spring loops45. The free ends of the spring loops 45 are detachably connected to thereflector by bayonet connections. To this end, the reflector is hereshown as provided with three axially rearwardly extending projections 46of generally plane form. These projections may be formed from metal,left in forming the circumferentially spaced recesses 39. Theprojections 46 are here shown as having straight axially extendingmargins-95, 86, the distance between which is less than-the width of therecesses 39. Each of the projections 46 is provided with a slot 41extending from one axial edge, 85, thereof transversely into theprojection a predetermined distance. The front margins 48 of the slots41 are desirably formed by the junction between the rear face of the endflange 31 of the tubular projection 35 on the reflector and the radiallyouter end of each recess 39. In this instance the margins 48 are in theplanes of the radially outer faces of the projections 46. The width ofthe slots 41 is desirably approximately the same as the thickness of thefree ends of the spring loops 45.

The spring loops 45 are provided near their free ends with transverseslots 49 extending from one margin thereof a predetermined distance.

The width of these slots 49 is approximately the same as the thicknessof the rearward projections At the margins of the free- 46 on thereflector. ends of the spring loops 45, opposite the margins into whichthe slots 49 extend, is provided a frontwardly extending shoulder 50,here shown as margins 5| of the recesses 39 and prevent rotation of theholding means 4| when the holding means is mounted on the reflector. Thespring loops 45 and the projections 46 may be unequally spacedcircumferentially if desired.

The ring portion 44 of the biasing means has a central aperture 52 ofapproximately the same diameter as the outside diameter of the shell 42,and extending radially inwardly from the aperture 52 are, in thisinstance, three circumferentially spaced projections 53, 54, 55, ofunequal circumferential extent, adapted to be seated in the bottoms ofcomplementary axially extending recesses 56, 51, 58 at the rear end ofthe shell 42.

The holding means 4| serves also to carry an insulating contact carrier59, the outside diameter of which is substantially equal to the insidediameter of the shell 42 and has radially outwardly extendingprojections 69, 6|, 62, desirably complementary to the three axiallyextending recesses 56, 51, 58 in the rear end of the shell 42, so thatthe contact carrier 59 may be assembled with the shell in only onerelative rotative relation. When the contact carrier 59 is assembledwith the shell 42 its front face abuts the rear face of the ring 44. Inorder to hold the contact carrier 59 to the shell, rearwardly extendingfingers 63 are provided on the shell 42, which may be clinched radiallyinwardly over the rear face of the insulating contact carrier 59.

The contact carrier 59 is adapted to carry contacts 64, 65, thesecontacts being desirably formed as enlarged heads on shanks fitted overand swedged to the ends of conductors 66, 61 respectively. Theconductors 66, 61 are disposed in sleeves, one of which, 68, is visiblein Figure 1, each sleeve being slidable within a bushing 69, which isfixedly mounted, in any suitable manner, as by beading, through theinsulating carrier. Each sleeve is surrounded by a spring 19 between thebushings 69 anda flange 1|, each sleeve abutting the respective contacts64, 65.

The contacts 64, 65 are adapted to make contact respectively with a pairof contacts 12, 13 on the base of the incandescent lamp 20. One of thecontacts (13) on the base of the lamp 29 is shown in Figure 1 as incontact with the Spring p es ed contact 65, the cooperating contacts 12,64 being directly behind the contacts 13', 65. The provision of aplurality of contacts on the lamp base enables the use of a multiplefilament lamp, the lamp being here shown as provided with two filaments14, 15, one of which, 14, may desirably have its lighting center at somepredetermined point with respect to the reflector, as, for example atthe focus, and the other of which,15, may be displaced from the filament14, and may be used for providing dim light or so-called tilted light.The filaments 14, 15 have their terminals connected in a well knownmanner to the lamp base 22 and to the contacts 12, 13 on the lamp base.,The'pas'sage of current to either one 01' both of the filaments 14, 15may be controlled in anv suitable manner, by switching means (not shown)interposed in the conductors 66, 61.

The shell 42 of the holding means 4| is pro vided with bayonet slots 16,11, each slot having an axially extending entrance portion 18, connectedby a slanting portion 19, proceeding in partly a circumferential andpartly an axial direction to a generally rounded seat portion 89. Thebottom 84 of the seat portion 80 is disposed frontwardly of the junction8| between the frontward margins of the slanting portion 19 and the seatportion 89, so that the approach to the shoulder formed by the junction8| is by cam surfaces 82, 83.

When the lamp 20 is in assembled position with the reflector 2| andholding means 4|, as shown in Figure 1, the pins 3|, 32, are seated onthe bottoms 84 of the seat portions of the bayonet slots 16, 11,Accordingly the bayonet slots 16, 11 are disposed circumferentially inthe shell 42, complementarily to the pins 3|, 32.

In assembling the unitary holding means 4| the biasing means 43 is firstassembled with the shell 42 by slipping it over the rear end of theshell with the projections 53, 54, 55 in registry with the axiallyextending recesses 56, 51, 58 at the rear end of the shell. The contactcarrier 59, with the contacts carried thereby, is then assembled withthe assembled shell 42 and biasing means 43 by bringing the radiallyextending projections 69, 6|, 62 into registry with the axiallyextending recesses 56, 51, 58 in the shell 42 and then clinching theflngers 63 over the rear end of the insulating carrier 59. The holdingmeans 4| then has the appearance as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.

In assembling the holding means 4| with the reflector 2|, the free endsof the spring loops 45 are first brought up against the desired rearfaces of the segmental flanges 4|] respectively and the holding means 4|is then turned in a clockwise direction, as viewed from the rear of thereflector 2|, whereupon the margins of the slots 49 in the spring loops45 will embrace the unslotted portions of the rearward projections 46 onthe reflector and the margins of the slots 41 in the rearwardprojections 46 will embrace the unslotted portions of the spring loops45. Meanwhile, the shoulders 59 bear against the rear faces of thesegmental flanges 40, and, as rotation of the holding means 4| iscontinued, the trailing margins. of these shoulders 50 will snapfrontwardly oiT of the margins 5| of the recesses 39. When the partshave reached this position the ends of the slots 41 and 49 are desirablyin engagement, so that further clockwise movement of the holding means4| is prevented, and counter clockwise movement is prevented by abutmentof the shoulders 50 with the margins The assembled reflector 2| andholding means 4| appear as in Figures 7 and 8.

When it is desired to assemble the lamp 20 with the assembled reflector2| and holding means 4|, the shell portion 25 of the base of the lamp 20is inserted through the central aperture 38 in the reflector and thepins 3|, 32 are brought into registry with the axially extendingentrance portions 18 of the bayonet slots I6, 11 in the shell 42, axialmovement of the lamp toward the reflector being continued, against thebias of the contacts 64, 65, and ofthe spring loops 45, until theaxially extending projections 29 abut the front faces of the flanges 40.At this time the pins 3|, 32 are in a position to engage the camsurfaces 82 of the bayonet slots Hi, upon rotation of the lamp 2!) in aclockwise dir-t:ction as viewed from the front of the reflector 2 I.Upon such rotation f the lamp 20, cooperation between the pins 3|, 32and the cam surfaces 82 causes the shell 42 to be moved i'rontwardlyagainst the bias of the spring loops 45, until the pins 3|, 32 pass theshoulders 8|, whereupon the bottoms 84 of the seat portions of thebayonet slots 16, 11 are drawn against the front sides of the pins 3|,32, by the bias of springs 45, and the projections 29 on the lamp baseflange are consequently pressed against the front faces of the reflectorflanges 40, the parts being then in the position shown in Fig- ,ure 1.

It will be evident that since the flange 21 is accurately pre-positionedwith respect to its disof the holding means.

tance from the filaments 14, 15 and the direction of the plane of theflange is pre-positioned with respect to the axis of the lamp, and,furthermore, since, the pins 3|, 32, in conjunction with the bayonetslots 16, TI, permit assembly of the lamp 20 with the reflector 2|. inonly one relative rotative relation, the filaments 14, 15 will assumethe desired predetermined position when the parts are assembled as inFigure 1.

Removal of the lamp 20 may be effected by simply rotating it in acounter clockwise direction, the pins 3|, 32, in cooperation with thecam surfaces 83 of the bayonet slots 16, 11, causing the shell 42 to bepulled frontwardly until the pins ride over the shoulders 8|, the camsurfaces 82 thereafter riding along the pins 3|, 32, the shell 42 beingpermitted to move rearwardly as the pins 3|, 32 move circumferentially.When the pins 3|, 32 reach the axially extending portions 18 of thebayonet slots 76, 11, the lamp may be withdrawn by axial movement awayfrom the reflector.

The holding means 4| may be removed from the reflector 2| by pressingthe shoulders 50 rearwardly enough to permit releasing rotation Rearwardmovement of the shoulders 50, as distinguished from bodily rearwardmovement of the entire free ends of the spring loops 45 is possiblesince the axial margins 85 of the projections 46 are spaced from themargins 5| of the recesses 39, so that the free ends of the loops mayflex about the frontward ends of the margins 85.

From the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatthe illustrated embodiment of my invention provides a new and im-'proved electric lighting device and unit, readily and convenientlyconstructed and assembled, and accordingly, accomplishes the principalobject of my invention. On the other hand, it also will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that the illustrated embodiment of my inventionmay be variously changed and modified, or features thereof, singly orcollectively, embodied in other combinations than those illustrated,without departing from the spirit of my invention, or sacrificing all ofthe advantages thereof, and that accordingly, the disclosure herein isillustrative only, and my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

1. In combination: an incandescent electric lamp having a base; areflector; said base having a lateral extension abutting said reflectorat the front thereof; means for engaging said base; biasing means,unitary with said engaging means, for biasing said engaging means tocause said lateral extension to abut said reflector; said biasing meansincluding a resilient member serving to support said engaging means fromsaid reflector; and said reflector and said resilient member being soconstructed and arranged that they make bayonet connection with eachother seated by rotation of said biasing means about its axis relativeto said reflector.

2. In combination: an incandescent electric lamp having a base includinga lateral extension and including also a portion, separate from saidlateral extension, having a surface extending transversely to the axisof said lamp; a mounting member; means. constructed and arranged toengage said surface and thereby pull said lateral extension toward saidmounting member; auxiliary means, unitary with said engaging means,constructed and arranged to bias said engaging means to cause saidlateral extension to abut said mounting; contact means, carried by saidauxiliary means, constructed and arranged to cooperate with said lampsaid auxiliary means including a resilient member; and said resilientmember and said mounting member including connection means soconstructed and arranged that said resilient member is detachablymounted on said mounting member and said resilient member alone servesto support said auxiliary means from said mounting member.

3. In combination: an incandescent electric lamp having a base includinga lateral extension and including also a portion, separate from saidlateral extension, having a surface extending transversely to the axisof said lamp; a mounting member, abutted by said lateral extension atone side thereof, said surface being disposed at the other side of saidmounting member; means for engaging said surface, said surface and saidengaging means being so constructed and arranged that movement of saidengaging means away from said other side of said mounting is adapted tomove said base in the same direction; contact means, carried unitarilywith said engaging means, constructed and arranged to cooperate withsaid lamp; and means for biasing said engaging means in said directionthereby to cause said lateral extension to be pressed against saidmounting.

4. In combination: an incandescent electric lamp having a base includinglaterally extending means having portions defining a plane transverse tothe axis of the lamp; a mounting member abutted by said laterallyextending means thereby to definitely position said plane; an auxiliarymounting member; means for supporting said auxiliary mounting memberfrom said mounting member, so constructed and arranged that saidauxiliary mounting member is movable relatively to said lamp, axially ofsaid lamp, and is biased to a position away from the light source ofsaid lamp; said auxiliary mounting member and said lamp including meansfor connecting said lamp to said auxiliary mounting member; saidconnecting means including a slot in said auxiliary mounting member, anda projection carried by said base constructed and arranged to cooperatewith said slot; said slot and said projection being so constructed andarranged that rotation of said lamp causes said auxiliary mountingmember to move toward the light source of said lamp thereby to presssaid laterally extending means against. said mounting member.

5. In combination: a mounting having an aperture and having a pluralityof circumferentially spaced recesses extending outwardly from saidaperture; an incandescent electric lamp prosaid said said HARRY A.DOUGLAS. 1

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